The conflict in northern Ireland began with the civil rights movement. Protests were organised against discrimination in areas of housing and jobs which met with government suppression. British troops were reportedly deployed in 1969.
The popular nationalist party during the conflict were the social democratic labour party, notable for their rejection of violence. The sdlp were party to the Sunningdale agreement, an attempt to establish a power sharing northern Ireland executive, and a cross border council of Ireland. Reportedly the n. Ireland assembly was established in 1973. The power sharing executive in 74 was made up of the Ulster unionist party, the sdlp and the Alliance party. The sdlp won nineteen of the seventy five seats. Reportedly the power share collapsed after four months, said to be due to continued protests from the unionists.
The sdlp played a role in the peace process which lead to the Belfast agreement of 1998, possibly unpopular with nationalists. Reportedly there was a 69.8% turn out in the June 1998 elections. According to documentation the Ulster unionist party won 28 seats, sdlp 24, Sinn fein 18 and Alliance 6. The sdlp are in favour of a united Ireland. Reported problems were accusations of gerrymandering and conflict between unionists and the Irish government.